Events

Research & Policy

Research and data reporting on changes in family demographic behavior and the results of rigorous program evaluations inform and shape the development of marriage, relationship and family policy at national, state and local levels.

The research section of our web site includes documents that summarize and synthesize a vast body of recent statistics and research, list and describe many of the major sources of this data, and provide links to other documents and organizational resources.

The policy section includes documents that report on how these trends are being responded to through changes in law and regulation, and increasingly through funding of programs and services at federal, state and community levels.

Marriage and Relationship Factors in Health

The health benefits of marriage have been recognized and commented upon in recent years by scholars, public officials, health and human service practitioners, and the media. Married people, in general, are healthier and live longer. However, the meaning and practical significance of this finding is not clear. More recent studies find that it is the quality of the relationship with the spouse or significant other that matters most, not solely marital status. Studies show that positive and supportive relationships promote health and help healing while negative and destructive relationships are harmful to health. Download this brief.

National Healthy Marriage Resource Center

The National Healthy Marriage Resource Center (NHMRC) is a clearinghouse for high quality, balanced, and timely information and resources on healthy marriage. The NHMRC's mission is to be a first stop for information, resources, and training on healthy marriage for experts, researchers, policymakers, media, marriage educators, couples and individuals, program providers, and others.